Basic Technological Parameters of the Activation Process for Two Bioreactor Configurations

Abstract

Technological parameters of the activation process in wastewater treatment plant activation systems are analyzed for basic bioreactor configurations, for the chemostat and for the plug flow, both with the recirculation of concentrated activated sludge. The first type of bioreactors represents conventional aerated tanks, but also loop bioreactors. The second type of bioreactors includes, for example, oxidation ditches. The paper presents an evaluation of the basic technological parameters of the activation process for the two mentioned configurations of bioreactor systems with recirculation of concentrated activated sludge. In addition, a new relation for sludge age evaluation is proposed for an activation system with a plug flow bioreactor. The article also provides examples of connections between the values of the technological parameters of the activation process for the two analyzed types of bioreactor systems.

Keywords

• chemostat with recirculation
• plug flow bioreactor
• activation process
• retention time
• sludge age
• recirculation factor
• thickening factor